mission by then President Olusegun Obasanjo to attend the inauguration of newly-elected South African President Thabo Mbeki was almost aborted at the last minute because of a row over yellow fever vaccination, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Shehu Malami said yesterday.


Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone, the former High Commissioner said South African authorities have a long history of using yellow fever vaccination to embarrass Nigeria even at the highest level. He said when President Obasanjo’s plane landed at Johannesburg in 1999, South African officials demanded to see the yellow fever vaccination certificates of everyone on board before the plane’s doors could be opened. On the president’s entourage on that trip, he said, were Governors Bola Tinubu and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Lagos and Kano States, as well as then PDP national chairman Chief Solomon Lar.



Malami said, “When I was told of the South African demand, I went up to their officials and said they should not worry about opening the plane’s doors or anyone coming down. They should simply arrange to refuel the plane. I will go on board and advise my president to return home. They should not worry, no one will disembark.” He said when he delivered that threat, the South Africans dropped their demand and the president and his entourage disembarked.

He said before that incident, he had another high profile spat with South African officials over yellow fever vaccination. He said during the Abacha era, then Communications Minister Major General Patrick Aziza arrived in Johannesburg and the South Africans demanded to see his yellow fever. Aziza had none, he said, so they said they would give him an injection and as well quarantine him.

Malami spoke yesterday in the wake of controversy that followed the deportation of 125 Nigerians on arrival in Johannesburg last week over alleged fake yellow fever vaccine cards.

hbrednic:

H.I.V ravaged ugly baboons,asking for a yellow fever card. wonders shall never end

RSA:

SA Cabinet shocked at Nigerian incident
MAR 8, 2012 | SAPA | 8 COMMENTS
“Cabinet expressed shock and regret at reports regarding how African foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians,  have been treated at OR Tambo International Airport”

Cabinet was shocked by the treatment reportedly meted out to African foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, at OR Tambo International Airport, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Thursday.

Briefing the media in Cape Town following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting the day before, he said a task team had been set up to investigate the matter.

“Cabinet expressed shock and regret at reports regarding how African foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians,  have been treated at OR Tambo International Airport,” Chabane said

“The genesis of the issue seems to be about yellow fever certificates. A high-level ministerial task team comprised of the various affected ministries has been set up to get to the bottom of the issue.”

Chabane said a joint media briefing, involving the department of international relations and co-operation and the Nigerian High Commission, would be held at noon on Thursday.

“The details of what exactly happened and further remedial measures will be discussed at that briefing,” he said.

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2012/03/08/sa-cabinet-shocked-at-nigerian-incident

kokoA:

Thats the most annoying thing sef. Very ugly set of human beings with HIV written all over their urgly faces. I blame Nigerians that even go to that shyte-hole to work.

Nayah:

Here is a intervention of a SA and it confirms what I've noticed, this is above the yellow card

RobinH
"So what action will Nigeria take? Stop the flow of drugs and sex-slaves to our shores? Yeah, right. I am fully behind proper vetting of incoming persons. Let's not get all xenophobic about the fact that these were Nigerians".

Akaraiwe:

When I arrived passport control in Oliver Tambo airport,South Africa,a young Nigerian next to me in queue,was asked to produce his yellow card,but on the card only C.S.M and Cholera was endorsed on it,there wasn't any yellow fever shown. The boy was asked by the immigration lady why he did he have yellow fever endorsed. The dumb lad couldn't defend it. The thing is many cards are issued so long you pay for it. Sincerely most people aren't vaccinated.

hbrednic:

H.I.V ravaged ugly baboons,asking for a yellow fever card. wonders shall never end

D blank:

What nonsense,i dont blame them anyway when nigerians too run to south african as if it ONE unique country.Though there ECONOMY over there is alot better than nigerias.So why wont they TALK.Next time before they come into NIGERIA we will have to screen them for HIV/AIDS,so that they wont come and polute our country for us.Look at KETTLE calling POT black.Those FOOLS ARE SO ARROGANT.Nonsense!

Arosa:

Nigerian should even make it a rule that any Nigerian that have lived in SA for more than a month should have his hiv status known before allowed back into naija. Nigeria needs to protect its self very well. enough said.

bukola:

the yellow card is a small thing i think nigeria to should stnd and say any sa coming to nigeria should tender his\her hiv test result

RSA:

Too many fools here,who think with their village brains.

If we look at the numbers Nigeria is the second country behind South Africa with the highest HIV prevalence.

http://www.avert.org/africa-hiv-aids-statistics.htm

Take the fact that in South Africa almost each and every person have tested for HIV and the records are close to 100% correct. The Nigerian number is an estimate based on the cases that are reported,there are millions in Nigeria who don't know their status or who knows it but could not divulge  that information to anyone because of their religions or don't want to bring disgrace to their families.

So who know that majority of visitors to South Africa including that Senator where here for HIV/AIDS medical,since South Africa is almost the expert on the disease? If you don't belief me look at the life expectancy between our two countries.Even with AIDS South Africans live longer than Nigerians.